Germany - Politicians Vent Anger Over German Footballers Posing With Turkish President (Video)

German politicians both from the left and the right of the political spectrum reacted with astonishment today when three German footballers of Turkish origin (who all play in the UK) posted willingly for pictures with Turkish President Erdogan who was visiting London.

The German international footballers Mesut Özil and Ilkay Gündogan posted pictures of themselves with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on social media and Gündogan wrote: "For my honored President, with great respect."

Mr Özil plays for Arsenal and Mr Gündogan for Manchester City, both well-known teams in Europe.

The players, both selected for the German national team are preparing for next month's Fifa World Cup in Russia, in which Germany is among the favourites. Turkey did not qualify.

The German football association, was the first to criticize the footballers, calling on their loyalty to German democratic values. DFB (Deutsche Fusball Bund, German Football Association) President Mr Reinhard Grindel said: "Football and the DFB defend values which are not sufficiently respected by Mr Erdogan. That's why it's not good that our international players let themselves be manipulated for his electoral campaign. In doing that, our players have certainly not helped the DFB's work on integration."

Ms Alice Wiedel, the co-head of the AfD in the German parliament, reminded viewers in Germany that Ozil had refused to sing the German national anthem at multiple reprisals and that he should quickly make a choice whether he would want to play for Germany or for Turkey.

A Turkish-origin Member of Parliament in Germany who represents Die Linke Group in the Bundestag, Ms Sevim Dagdelen, stated: "It's a crude foul to pose with the despot Erdogan in a luxury hotel in London and dignify him with the title 'my President', while in Turkey democrats are persecuted and critical journalists are detained."

Also the Green party was quick to come out and criticize the meeting. Mr Cem Özdemir attacked Mr Gündogan's "my President" message.

He stated: "The federal president of a German international footballer is called Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the chancellor is Angela Merkel and the parliament is called the German Bundestag."